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In last week's poll idea, "Do you think apprenticeships are just as good as university?", submitted by manseydoll,  a majority of respondents indicated that, yes, apprenticeships are an educational system that provides similar benefits as does a university education. (85% yes; 15% no)

As apprenticeships were first developed in the Middle Ages, the concept became a standard in the United Kingdom, as the UK Industry Training Boards (ITBs) were set up under the 1964 Act.  There have been peaks and valleys of the popularity of apprenticeships over the past 50 years as well, with the lowest points coming in the 1980s.
 

Modern Apprenticeship saw a revitalization in the 1994, when the UK government introduced frameworks for separately certified elements of an apprenticeship, including 

• Knowledge, through a Technical Certificate
• Competence, through an NVQ
• Key Skills (such as Communication, Mathematics, Information Communication, Interpersonal, Personal Improvement, and Problem Solving) and 
• Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR) often with a portfolio completion

Given the diversity of apprenticeships available (in 2009, for example, there were over 180 frameworks), there are plenty of niche markets to choose from for a student.  The current choices expand beyond manufacturing and high technology, and today include many of the liberal arts paths which could also be found at a university.

The intent of the Department for Children, Schools and Families to make apprenticeship a cultural norm and a vital part of England's educational system seems to have been accomplished, with this poll's results as proof.  The dedication the UK Government has taken to explain the procedure, ensure full training is accomplished, and to protect all parties has certainly helped to complete the task of making apprenticeships a vital part of the economy.

With this week's poll question, the results are more firm than most. Thanks to GETEXTRA for his poll idea.

"Do you think depression should be treated in the same way as other (physical) illnesses are treated?"  Ninety-five percent of respondents in our community say "Yes."

Perhaps the timing of this poll, coming along with the news of Robin Williams and his lost battle with depression, has created a temporary fluctuation in responses.  Or, perhaps it is a simple fact that more people today recognize that depression is more common than once thought, and with commonality comes compassion.

Either way, the truth of the matter is that the vast majority believe that depression is in need of attention.  Treating depression as one would a physical illness, by seeking time and attention from a trained professional, by allowing recuperation time, and by accepting it as something outside of an individual's control... all are keenly important to surviving the fight against this infection.

Recognizing depression in line with a physical illness might help to remove some of the shame that is often aligned with it. By removing the shame, chances of healing are likely to increase as well.

Depression can be treated like a physical illness, by going to a doctor, by treating it at home, or by suffering through in hopes that it will dissipate on its own.  Depression can be treated like a physical illness by accepting it causes limitations on daily life.  Depression can be treated like a physical illness by understanding that it is often formed because of imbalances in life.

But even the minority of respondents who say, "No," don't treat depression like a physical illness, perhaps they mean to say "..treat it more forcefully than you would a head cold."

Tell us what you think!

-Rob

Tory politician Boris Johnson is arguably one of the most recognisable and well-followed up-and-coming politicians Britain has seen in quite some time. This is largely down to his character - a character that people are lapping-up like dogs as he races to secure a seat - and potential party majority - in Parliament, but it's an act that few are buying.

According to our last Poll of the Week (submited by Manseydoll!) asking if people believe that Boris Johnson plays on his 'buffoon' persona in order to gain public support, an overwhelming majority - 86% - feel he does indeed. But does this speak more to the core of what our countries politics has dissolved into? When a huge majority of people feel that a political contender puts on a false persona, an obvious one at that, in order to gain support perhaps it does speak volumes.

Parliament isn't new to the idea of animated or controversial politicians. Over it's history, screaming matches on the floor as well as physical fights, and even elaborate costumes, there are some who feel that Parliament has turned into more a circus than a legitimate legislative body. On the other hand, these same theatrics could be argued as being the device of a group of dedicated individuals who are committed to going the extra mile to ensure that their view, the view hopefully held by those they represent, is heard the loudest and, thus, acted upon.

Regardless, one thing is clear: In Johnson's bid for this post, his theatrics aren't going unseen by the public, and if current analyst opinions say anything, we'll be seeing more and more of them in the coming months and years. 
Do you think that's good or bad? Let us know!

Rob

According to our latest viewsbank poll of the week suggested by tillyw47 (£20 cash prize winner!) the UK public is largely divided on who to blame for the Gaza crisis. The recent violence in Gaza has caught the attention of many across the world. The Israel-Palestine conflict has escalated enough to become a major international topic. It is hard to blame one party for the current crisis in Gaza since violence is occurring on both sides.

Deputy PM Releases Statement to Consider Suspension of Israel Arms Licenses

The deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has released a public statement saying that if the ceasefire in Gaza ends, the UK should suspend its arm licenses to Israel. No new arms licenses have been given to Israel for over a month since the violence has started, but this announcement threatens a permanent suspension. What is shocking about Clegg's statement is that many have criticized the government for not doing more about the Gaza crisis. 

Although the government has taken a public stand against Israel's military offensive, many UK citizens believe that by enacting an arms embargo, Israel will be defenceless. The government's reasoning for this statement is that since Israel's Protective Edge operation started on July 8, the death toll has reached over 1,800 in Gaza alone. While a large amount of people agree with the government, another proportion of the UK public believe that Israel is not to blame.

Hamas and its Controversial Military Acts

Those who don't believe Israel is to blame for the Gaza crisis believe Hamas is the cause for the violence. This Islamist movement, similar to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, has been said to have launched rockets from civilian areas and caused many of its own casualties. Separate from the Palestinian government's views, Hamas has committed many controversial military offenses. 

A Divided Consensus

While the UK public is not unanimous in assigning blame for the Gaza crisis, about half of the public believe that both sides are to blame for the current violence. The other half is divided almost equally in assigning blame to either Hamas or Israel, while a small percentage blame outside actors such as the West and Arab Middle-East States. What this recent polling shows is that violence is occurring on both sides and both parties should be responsible for ending this crisis. Listed below are the recent polling results from Viewsbank on who is to blame for the current crisis in Gaza.

• Israel 23%
• Hamas 20%
• The West 3%
• Arab Middle-East States 4%
• All of the Above  50%

To suggest a poll and have the viewsbank community vote on it go to Polls. Every week we will pick the best polls with the most votes for a cash prize.

The winner of the entire bronzy J Lo look is.....

EmilyWillsonx

Congrats Emily, We'll be shipping your goodies to you the moment you email us at rob.tyler@viewsbank.com to give us your shipping info. In the meantime, let us know what OTHER stuff you would like to have us give away. Just comment below and we'll make it happen.

So, to win the whole gorgeous collection worth way over 300 quid, here’s your challenge: Tell us your FAVORITE facial feature. Yep, you have to tell us. We love positivity and everyone has something they love about their face. Be sure to sign up on the site so we can contact you, and just comment away! If you want to comment more than once, you definitely can… Ok, we can’t wait to read what your favorite features are about yourselves! GO!  

We’ll announce the lucky winner tomorrow on facebook/viewsbank and here on this blog, so be sure to check it out…

With home ownership for adults under the age of 65 at an all time low in England, there are plenty of people who have never owned a home and are being buried under the rising cost of rent.

According to the recent poll you voted in, suggested by bethyoung26, the majority of respondents believe that the government could do a lot more to help first time buyers during this property boom. Some 68% of those answering the survey, said that more could be done at this time in order to help new home buyers meet the need to get out of the renter's market and into the ownership. Perhaps this respondents are thinking of Margaret Thatcher's "Right to Buy" program in the 1980s, where homes became made available for purchase, sometimes at only 55% of the value of the property.

However, there were a few respondents who said that the government should not be responsible to do more (19% of the 1,387 poll respondents), those people may believe the government is doing an adequate job in helping to keep the property market secure, and the number of properties in total appropriate to the number of structures needed for the population. Perhaps these respondents are remembering that the money generated from these sales was not used in order to create more affordable homes. The prior attempt at ensuring home ownership was opened up to a wide base of the population caused a downward spiral over time, and it appears that 19% of the respondents may be all too aware of this fact.

The remaining 15% of respondents answered the survey as "not sure."  In this writer's opinion, these 15% may be the smartest of them all, to admit they can't tell the future.

Contact us to tell us what you think!

The United Kingdom is the world capital of road rage, with nearly 9 out of 10 drivers reporting to have been its victim. This often creates a stressful environment for drivers on the road, and according to our recent poll, you are sick of it and want the short tempered off the road.

Half of the responders to the poll said that they believe drivers with road rage should be revoked of their licences depending on how many incidents they have had. Others are so intolerant of road rage that they don't even believe in second chances; 38% believe unequivocally that those convicted should lose their licence. Combining these two types of responses, nearly 9 out of 10 believe that drivers convicted of road rage should lose their licence, at least if they are repeat offenders.

7 percent said that they are not sure where they stand on the issue, but even this group of respondents outnumber those who responded definitively with a "no". Only 5 percent, or one in twenty, believe that drivers convicted of road rage should be able to keep their licences. This means that they are outnumbered by those who disagree by nearly eighteen to one.

Road rage is a subjective term, and it can often be unclear what behaviours legally constitute as road rage. What is as clear as day however, is that drivers recognize it when they see it, and have very little patience for it. So remember: keep calm and drive safely!